1. In a medium bowl, stir together the pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and salt until well combined. Add the maple syrup, condensed milk, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water; use your hands to blend the ingredients well.

2. Form the mixture into 24 walnut-size balls. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours.

3. In the top of a double boiler or in a medium stainless-steel bowl set over a pot of gently simmering water, melt the chocolate. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the frozen balls into the melted chocolate, then place on the prepared baking sheet and top each with a pecan half. Let set for 15 minutes, or until firm.

All of the items here can be purchased at M and J Trimmings in Manhattan so head on over there for some great Shavuot table inspiration! They have tons of ribbon, trim, feathers, flowers and more. The creative possibilities are endless! Its time to spruce up your Shavuot table!!

Summer Cloth Napkin Dip Dying and DIY Coaster:

by Nicole Cohen

This spring I am SO inspired by neons and color, andI have been dying to do some dip-dying ever since I made some tie-dye napkins this summer. Dip Dying seems just a tad more sophisticated and is a much simpler affair.

So for my first project, I made a place setting that I would use for a spring lunch or brunch. The great thing about this project is that even just by using the neon grosgrain bow as a napkin ring, you can set a totally current and chic table with very little permanence or cost.

After I made the dyed napkins and the co-ordinating napkin ring and placed them on a white plate, I knew I wanted to add way more color. So I added a peacock colored placemat that I already had. Then I realized I had these amazing vintage neon glasses and that they would add even more color to the table. And then after that, I thought of making the orange coaster! (I was considering making a placemat but I didnt have enough cord…)

Follow the instructions on the Rit Dye Box. I chose to do mine on the stove. Mix dye with hot water, salt and a small amount of detergent. Stir and wait until desired color is achieved.

Take clean, washed napkins and dip into the dye bath. I dipped the edges of one napkin, the side of another and the bottom of another. Ultimately, the napkin with the dyed bottom was the most successful.

Immediately rinse with warm water, then cold until the water runs clear.

Dry and iron.

Project 1:

Project 2 Instructions: Neon Grosgrain Bow.

Begin the bow by winding the ribbon back and forth to form three loops. To do this, first form one loop. Holding the loop at its midpoint, wind the ribbon underneath to form another loop that is slightly larger than the first. Now hold both of the loops together at their midpoints and wind the ribbon underneath in the opposite direction to form a final loop, again slightly larger than the previous.

Staple them together at the midpoint.

Wrap a small piece of ribbon over the staple and secure in the back with a glue gun.

Attach to the center of the extra ribbon , and using the glue gun secure the ends of the ribbon to each other.

Place the napkin inside.

Project 3:

Project 3 Instructions: Orange Cord Coaster

Remove the tape from the edge of your cord.

Using a glue gun, apply a little bit of glue to the edge of your cord to stop fraying .

Place the cord flat on a table and wrap the cord into a spiral, using one hand to keep it flat and the other to twist.

Take your glue gun and cover the entire cord with glue. Make sure that the glue gets in between the cord. Finish the edge of the cord with a little more glue and tuck it into the side of the coaster.